Research School Network: Using evidence in education: A reflection by Kate Mouncey – Director

As our time as a Research School draws to a close, we have been reflecting on our time working with teachers and schools over the last six years. In the EEF ​‘Effective Professional Development’ guidance report, Professor Becky Francis states: ​‘Teachers make a difference. No matter the phase of school setting, it is the quality of teaching that can make the biggest difference to children’s learning and to their ultimate success in school’. This has been the underpinning motivation for our work. It has been a real pleasure working with colleagues from very varied settings who have been passionate about improving further and in learning about the ​‘best bets’ to support their pupils.

In particular, we have tried to promote and exemplify practice which can be used to address the barriers faced by pupils in disadvantaged circumstances – a priority made even more urgent in light of the impacts of the Covid pandemic.

Below are some of the key learning points from our time as a Research School as we seek to continue our journey in evidence-informed practice into the future.

1. Evidence-informed practice is highly effective

The growing body of evidence being generated and utilised by the teaching profession can really help us to work out some good starting points for effective practice. Many teachers and leaders are recognising the advantages of engaging with evidence at a deep level, to try and address the highly complex process of teaching for long-term learning. The EEF Toolkit was transformative in providing easy to digest best bets and it continues to develop and evolve. The challenge across the sector is now to help consistent and embedded use of evidence in implementing change.

2. Context is key

Despite the great usefulness of evidence, every context is different, even down to class or individual level within a single school. Evidence does not supplant experience – great teachers are able to adapt to their context using evidence to inform and then evaluate strategies. There is no recipe for success.

3. Embedding practice is hard

Many schools and teachers are now engaging with evidence as it has become much more user-friendly and key messages are being heard across the sector. However, embedding effective practice across a school is still really hard due to so many financial and capacity constraints, as well as external pressures. The EEF’s Implementation model is a great tool to support schools in this respect, but it is still really hard!

4. School communities are remarkable

Schools shoulder the burden of social issues and pressures and are at the front-line of supporting pupils and families who are facing ever increasing disadvantage. They are the ever-present support service for some children who face an unlimited number of barriers in their lives and in their education. School leaders, teachers and support workers offer care and education every single day and can make the difference to a child’s life chances. We need to do all that we can to support this vital work.

5. We must remain focused on supporting the most vulnerable children in our communities

It is clear that in every setting, there are groups of children who have to overcome one, or multiple, barriers to succeed. These barriers only seem to be increasing with societal pressures. We have a real responsibility and wish to support these children and enable them to have a happy and successful future, both in their working lives, and in their personal lives. The gap continues to expand between disadvantaged pupils and their peers. We should do everything that we can in each of our roles, and in each of our varied contexts, to offer equity of opportunity to these children.

Next steps…

We will carry these thoughts forward in our work here as a school, and within a Trust. You may be interested in engaging with our continuing support for schools within the Alban TSH where we will be offering training in evidence-informed practice. Details are here under the tab ​‘Evidence Informed Programme’: https://albantsh.co.uk/courses/#show-courses-by-category

We wish you all the best as you continue in your journey to offer the very best education for all of your pupils!